By Daniel Shito
The Cross River State House of Assembly has taken a new step to regulate scrap dealers and stop thieves from stealing public property.
The bill, sponsored by Hon. Stanley Nsemo representing Calabar Municipal, seeks to cancel the old Scrap Regulatory Agency Law No. 5 of 2017 and replace it with a stronger law.
Leading the debate, Hon. Nsemo said the old law has many gaps. He said the new law will set clear rules for buying and selling scrap metals, introduce safety standards for handling dangerous materials, and make licensing compulsory for all scrap dealers.
He added that unregulated scrap business has caused environmental problems, security threats and loss of revenue to the state.
Other members supported the bill, describing it as timely. They said it will help government to track revenue, reduce theft and vandalism of manhole covers, transformers, streetlights and private property.
They also said licensing and profiling of scrap dealers and scavengers will help government to separate genuine business owners from criminals using scrap business to hide crime.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, praised the Bill but expressed worry over the activities of scavengers in the state.
He called for compulsory licensing of all scrap dealers and scavengers, and a proper system to monitor and track their activities.
Honorable Ayambem called for stiff punishment, including imprisonment for vandalism, theft and illegal handling of hazardous scrap.
After debate, the House passed the bill for second reading through a voice vote and referred it to the House Committee on Environment for further work and public hearing.
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